Research

The Huffington Center on Aging is committed to translating basic and clinical research discoveries, made in the laboratory, into treatment applications that will benefit those individuals who suffer from diseases and conditions that affect the elderly.

Current research projects include:

Determining the factors that regulate lifespan and healthspan in model systems

Investigating the role of protein turnover and cellular clearance in stem cells and aging

Prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

Understanding and preventing age-related disorders such as cancer, diabetes, and liver diseases

Maintaining and improving cardiovascular health

Cellular restoration and regeneration in auditory and nervous systems

Understanding the molecular and genetic basis of development and aging

Minimizing frailty in older people

Biology and Pathophysiology of Aging Training Grant

The Huffington Center on Aging offers a National Institute of Aging funded training grant to support four predoctoral and four postdoctoral trainees. Twenty two Baylor College of Medicine faculty members involved in aging-related research participate as mentors in this training program.

Biology of Aging Seminar

The HCOA sponsors the weekly Biology of Aging Seminar for researchers in all stages of their careers. Local and visiting scientists present their original research findings on a wide variety of topics designed to increase participants' understanding of basic aging processes as well as applications of basic science knowledge to the major diseases of later life.

Graduate students can join the Biology of Aging Program and join the Aging Track of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Learn more.

Medical students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of clinical research topics, and scholarship funding is available to assist with completion of the project and presentations at national meetings